🎎 Kitami Extreme Cold Barbecue

In early February each year, a winter event featuring charcoal-grilled meat is held outdoors in the freezing cold in Kitami City, Hokkaido. The venue is the parking lot of the Kitami Art and Culture Hall, filled with hundreds of shichirin (Japanese charcoal grills). Participants, dressed in warm clothing, enjoy the fun of grilling meat over charcoal. A flame is ignited in the giant shichirin next to the stage to kick off the festival. The stage hosts karaoke competitions and lottery events, with the air filled with the smoke and warmth of the charcoal. There is a large thermometer on-site and photo props available, allowing visitors to take eye-catching photos for social media. Each admission ticket (10,000 yen) allows entry for four people and includes a barbecue set featuring items like diaphragm, pork offal, pork shoulder, and Kitami onions, along with unlimited drinks. Additional meat can be purchased on-site, and there are stalls selling local delicacies such as venison and beef soup. Tickets are sold in advance, typically going on sale around November each year. The event is very popular, with tickets almost always selling out, so early reservations are recommended.

Enjoying barbecue outdoors on a chilly night is a famous winter activity in Kitami. Tickets must be reserved in advance, and the price includes a barbecue set and unlimited drinks. Tickets are very popular and often sell out quickly every year.